The following was contained in a press release from Indy Connect this past week.

Public meetings set for 3 Indy Connect rapid transit line studies

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 14, 2013) — The public is invited to learn more about the Indy Connect studies of the Red, Blue and Green rapid transit lines by attending one of nine public engagement meetings scheduled between Feb. 26 and March 14.

When fully implemented, the Indy Connect plan will add five rapid transit lines, double the current local bus service, and add Express Bus routes and community circulators. It would complement IndyGo’s recently announced Downtown Transit Center, a project that will serve as a central hub downtown for destinations, boardings and transfers.

The first three of five rapid transit lines being studied and their general locations are:

The Red Line, which extends north and south (exact street to be determined) through downtown Indianapolis from Carmel to Greenwood;

The Blue Line, which runs east and west on or near Washington Street from Cumberland to the Indianapolis International Airport; and

The Green Line, which connects downtown Indianapolis and Noblesville, with multiple stops along the way.

Decisions made in 2013 as part of this planning process will determine transit routes, the number and locations of station stops, the mode of transportation (either light rail or bus rapid transit), and whether the vehicles will operate in new or existing lanes of city streets.

The Indy Connect plan will be shared and feedback gathered during the public engagement meetings. Each meeting will follow the same format with a brief presentation tailored to the location, followed by multiple displays where the public can talk one-on-one with planners.

Following is a list of scheduled meetings, as well as the rapid transit line the meeting will highlight. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m.

Indy Connect is a partnership of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) and IndyGo. A fully implemented Indy Connect plan will connect more people to more places, easier than ever before.